EXAMINATION OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS 15 



On opening the mouth, if there is a very offensive odor coming from it, it 

 indicates either an ulceration of the mouth, due to ulcerative stomatitis, 

 which has erroneously been called scurvy, disease of the teeth and in cer- 

 tain diseases of the stomach, in dyspepsia, foetid bronchitis, or in gan- 

 grene of the lungs; it is frequently noticed in animals which are very sick, 

 where the mouth is filled with unhealthy mucus or where particles of 

 food lie in the mouth or throat. In infectious hemorrhagic gastro- 

 enteritis, a very offensive odor is noticed. In cases of poisoning, by 

 phosphorus, or prussic acid, the odor of the drug is frequently detected in 

 the breath. On examining the teeth and gums we may see large ossific 

 deposits of the alveolar process (dental alveolar periostitis) causing sepa- 

 ration of the gums and loosening of the teeth. An intensely inflamed 

 state of the gums, where they are bleeding and ulcerated, indicates 

 ulcerative stomatitis, mercurial poisoning, or scurvy; very often tumors 

 (epulides) are found on the inner border of the incisors and interfere 

 more or less with eating. Very frequently foreign bodies lie between the 

 teeth, causing increased flow of saliva. The cutting of the milk (tempo- 

 rary) teeth and a change of dentition (cutting of the permanent teeth) 

 may cause intense inflammation of the entire mouth. The tongue is 

 examined; it may appear dry, paralyzed, and in some cases shrunken and 

 lie on the floor of the cavity of the mouth; from paralysis of the tongue as 

 a result of distemper, disease of the brain, or infectious hemorrhagic gas- 

 tro-enteritis. The author has noticed paralysis of the tongue in acute 

 convulsions. The tongue may be greatly swollen and enlarged in acute 

 inflammation of the mouth, or from parenchymatous inflammation of 

 the tongue. Foreign bodies, such as needles or sharp objects may pene- 

 trate the tongue. Sometimes wounds and scars may be noticed on the 

 edges of the tongue in dogs suffering from paralysis of the masseter muscle 

 and by biting the tongue when the animal is in a convulsion. The color 

 of the tongue is a deeper red from fevers, inflamed conditions of the mouth , 

 and certain heart affections. A cyanotic (reddish-blue color) is seen 

 when the animal is partially suffocated. The tongue is coated as a result 

 of most fevers, but it is also observed in animals which are perfectly 

 healthy. A heavy coating of the tongue is noticed in stomatitis, gastric 

 catarrh, and in acute internal diseases; also in acute cases of distemper. 

 In infectious hemorrhagic gastro-enteritis, the tongue is frequently 

 covered with a dirty-brown coating. As a rule, a paralyzed tongue lies on 

 the floor of the cavity of the mouth. In gangrene of the tongue that 

 organ is swollen bluish-gray. The tip of the tongue may sometimes be 

 bluish-black, caused by being bitten or being maliciously tied with a 

 string. A bluish-red discoloration around the edge of the tongue may 

 be due to distemper, stomatitis, infectious hemorrhagic gastro-enteritis 

 and various other causes. 



